Litchfield senior looking forward to nationals

Monday

Apr 1, 2013 at 9:01 AM

By Andy Barrand

Andy.barrand@hillsdale.net COLDWATER – Litchfield High School senior Ariel Knight knew from a young age what she wanted to do when she grew up. With a love for cooking and food her dreams were set on becoming a successful chef or restaurant owner. Looking ahead to graduation her goals are still the same. Knight and three other seniors all members of the culinary arts and hospitality program at the Branch County Career Center recently won top honors in the state during the ProStart Management Competition. Knight along with her other teammates Tyler Hutchins of Bronson, Brooke VanOver and Jamie Bream both of Coldwater, developed their own restaurant plan and presented it at the state competition. The students were one of 44 teams to compete at the competition. All of the students said they were excited when their restaurant business plan was chosen. “It was a lot of fun to create,” said VanOver. Hutchins added that it was a lot of work. In developing a restaurant the students wanted to feature delicious and nutritious food that reminds people of home. The group’s marketing plan, guilt free comfort food in a quick casual atmosphere. VanOver said they were given the task to develop a restaurant which would work in any mid-size city across the United States. The group began working on their presentation in early November, making last minute changes to their speeches the night before their presentation. In presenting their business plan the group said they were nervous. “We were all nervous but confident in our concept,” said VanOver. As part of the plan the group had to create a menu with pictures of actual dishes. Items on their menu included loaded potato soup, almond crusted chicken, strawberry crisp and one of their own creations. The spin on mashed potatoes is a mixture of Catalina beans, cauliflower and mashed potatoes. Knight said although it sounds like a weird combination it is really good. They believe it was the attention to details in their plan that set them apart from the others. VanOver also competed last year so she knew what to expect going in. Bream a first year culinary student brought her knowledge of business management to the group. She was part of the Career Center’s Business Management program last year. In working on the project each of the students took on a different task and worked together to complete the plan. In preparation for the national competition the group has been spending a lot of time tweaking their business plan keeping them out of the kitchen. “I miss not being in the kitchen,” Knight said. She said her favorite thing to cook is sauces. “There are so many things you can do with them to change a meal,” Knight said. VanOver is one who likes to experiment in the kitchen and Bream is the baker of the group. VanOver said the group is excited about going to nationals. “It is awesome to be able to go and compete,” she said. While in Baltimore the students will have the opportunity to have lunch with the president of the National Restaurant Association. After graduation all of the students are planning on furthering their education in the restaurant field taking culinary and hospitality classes.